An inquiry has been ordered following complaints about the siting of mobile phone masts close to homes.

A scientific expert has been recruited to investigate after Newcastle North MP, Doug Henderson, intervened in the row.

Mr Henderson was approached by people living in city flats at Denton Park House and Hill Top House worried about masts on their blocks.

Newcastle City Council has now recruited Dr Andrew Mackie, public analyst and scientific adviser with the department of environmental and consumer services at Edinburgh Council to carry out a survey.

Mr Henderson said: "Dr Mackie is a well-known and respected figure in this area of work and he will provide a totally independent report on the telecommunications equipment installed on Denton Park House and Hill Top House.

"The council has told me they hope to have this work completed by mid-August.

"I will write to constituents again once the council has furnished me with the results of Dr Mackie's survey."